Glenn Hoddle demands more ‘intent and aggression’ from Gareth Bale

As reported by Football.london, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder and manager Glenn Hoddle has insisted that Gareth Bale needs to show more ‘intent and aggression’ if he is to become a regular under Jose Mourinho.

Bale returned to Tottenham this past summer, seven years after he had left for Real Madrid. The Welsh wing-wizard signed on a season-long loan deal. However, he is yet to hit his stride fully since coming back to his old stomping grounds.

Injuries and fitness issues have held him back somewhat, and there have been signs that he still has the quality to make the difference. However, as we approach the turn of the year, ex-Spurs boss Hoddle has admitted that the Welshman needs to do more than what he has been doing. (h/t Football.london)

“I’d like him to show a bit more intent and aggression in his mind and prove to Jose ‘I need to be in the first team in the Premier League’. I don’t see that at the moment. If that player is still in there anywhere what he was like two, three or four years ago, then Tottenham go into another gear.”

Since returning to Tottenham, Bale is yet to complete the full 90 minutes in a single game. The 31-year-old was withdrawn around the 60-minute mark in the Europa League contest against Royal Antwerp, which didn’t surprise Hoddle. (h/t Football.london)

“By now, I would expect him to be ahead of where he is, he looks fragile and tentative when he goes in and when it is tight. He still seems unsure of his body, he hasn’t quite got that change of pace.”

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Since returning, Bale has made nine appearances for us, scoring two goals. There’s plenty more to come for him, no doubt, and one good performance can set the tone.